Earthquake 3/11/11

[Chip]

This was a huge quake!

MAJOR earthquake where I live, much damage, office thrashed. We will have to close for awhile - let everyone know.

I am sure all our thoughts and prayers are with our friends in Japan and the people of Japan in general.

[fire_snake]

Some of our TeaChat members live in Japan. I know Xell does, for example. Hope they and their families are safe and sound and we hear from then over the coming days. I have friends there as well and I always worry for their safety.

[Xell]

We are lucky to be in Nagasaki, nothing serious here, only ~50cm tsunami, no earthquake.

But some relatives are living in Tokyo, they are calling time to time. I was watching live news, quite scary. In fact, i heard, this is strongest earthquake in Japan since they started recording, not biggest damage. But still it quite huge disaster, news reporting that already over 200-300 people died from earthquake and tsunami.

[David R.]

Mago is all right ! I hope all TCers also are.

[fire_snake]

Good to hear you are alright, Xell. Best wishes to your family.

These events are scary and incomprehensible for someone like myself. For us in Canada, for example, this sort of meteorology and geology is rather all academic, really. We just don't experience it. I imagine we give people in these earthquake/tsunami-prone areas less credit than we should (for being more hardy and prepared than we are), but the loss of life from it still something other-wordly. All we can do is watch the news, help with any relief efforts at a grass-roots level, and pray everyone makes it through.

It's amazing, though. These natural forces saved Japan from the Mongols. Twice.

[JBaymore]

My thoughts and prayers go to all in Japan. The Tohoku area is the hardest hit (northern end of Honshu). I have lots of friends up there ... some right on the coast.

Worrying.

best,

...............john

PS: I will be in Japan, and in the Tohoku part, in late May and early June...so will likely see some of the "leftovers" of this disaster.

[Stentor]

Horrible catastrophe
Hard to find words. I hope things will be OK again for people in Japan as soon as possible.
And hopefully none of the damage will have other dangerous consequences (nuclear power plants etc.).

[greentam]

I was posting on facebook about my Japanese class when someone brought this up. I watched the livecast news for almost two hours. It was so frightening. I'm so glad that the people I've done business with in Japan are safe and sound. I hope that everyone is doing better now. I don't really know what to say. I hope to find some way of helping out.

[verus]

All my best wishes to all the people suffering because of this right now. Metta.

[tortoise]

I want to express my condolences and prayers to those in Japan. The country is very dear to me and I hope all TCer's are ok.

[rabbit]

This is terrible and very scary, does anyone know if Osaka was effected? I have a close friend there and I can't get in contact with them.

[edit] The good thing (not that there is anything good about this) about it happening to Japan is that it's a highly developed country (unlike the Haitian disaster) that has money and good doctors/hospitals.

[David R.]

I don't think that Osaka has suffered a lot. It seems to be the north of the country which suffered the most. Mago, who is in Tottori, told me that he did not feel the earthquake. It is not that far from Osaka, considering the place of the epicentre. I really hope I am not wrong when saying this. Reliable info is hard to come by... I hope you have good news of your friend quickly.

Japan is the most prepared country on earth for these events. It has to help. But still casualties are building up...

[togei]

The earthquake was felt in Osaka but I haven't heard of damage. Shaking seems to be the extent of it. Here in Nara I didn't feel a thing.
Dave

[JBaymore]

I have heard from friends at Geidai in Tokyo...and there is only minor physical damage there in Tokyo (buildings etc.) ... but there are some serious injuries to people in generqal in Tokyo. My friends at Geidai are OK. And friends up in Tohoku (Aomori-ken) are also OK but without power. They are far closer to the epicenter which is off the coast near Sendai.

Sendai appears to be devestated.

best,

............john

[mbishop]

Obubu (in Kyoto) says they are fine, and Ito En said so far they are fine as well.

I hope Kevin and O-Cha are OK, as well as all the other vendors/people